johny goerend pbns0n5xt1o unsplash

Given From Above

John 19:11 -- Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

God possesses all power and control in the universe. There are some who believe God is the Divine Clockmaker who created the world, wound it up, and watches it run. He doesn’t involve Himself in the affairs of this world. But that isn’t a biblical idea. The Scriptures tell us that not only is God involved, all power and authority belong to Him. He can do anything. This means that those with power in this world are given their power. They are not God. They don’t possess their power inherently by their nature. It is temporary. And it is given to them. 

Our passage today reminds us of this truth. Jesus is standing before Pilate. He is a Roman governor over Israel. He is a representative of the Roman Empire that ruled the ancient world at the time of Jesus. Pilate had power. This is why the religious leaders brought Jesus to him seeking His death. They knew Pilate could sentence Him to death, and that’s exactly what they desired. When Jesus stood before Pilate, He said nothing in response to all of Pilate’s inquiries. This frustrated Pilate and he questioned why Jesus would sit there in silence when he had the power of life and death over Him. We read Jesus’ response in John 19:11, “Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.’”

Jesus tells Pilate that the only authority he has over Him is given to him from God. Pilate is in the position he is, not because an Emperor gave it to him, but because the LORD did. Jesus understands that he is here at this moment according to the divine plan. He hasn’t arrived in front of Pilate by accident. No, this is the eternal plan of God for the salvation of the world. Pilate is going to sentence Jesus to be crucified. It is there that Christ will suffer once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous. He’s not afraid of Pilate. Pilate is merely a part of God’s plan. This is why Jesus tells him the only authority he has is given to him from above.

This truth comforts us today because we know everyone with power or authority only has it because God decrees it. He has purposes for why they are in those roles. These individuals are not the ultimate authorities, God is. We should imitate the confidence of Jesus and recognize this truth as we live our lives. It is all given from above. Our God reigns.


Reflection & Journal: 
- Why is Jesus so confident and at peace in front of Pilate?
- What do Pilate’s words reveal about his own understanding of his power?
- How can this passage correlate into our lives today? What does it teach us?


Sign up to receive our daily devotions in your inbox here!